“Do you have a plan or direction you’re going? Or do you just wander?”
I shrug. “I don’t even know. I guess I’m just curious if there’s any place you’d like to go? Do you have a family out there? Anyone you’d like to try and find?”
There’s a long pause before Wade lets out a long breath. “No. I’ve got no one. No plan or direction.”
“Have you ever left the country? We could head up to Canada, find a place to bunker down in during the winter. The zombies all freeze during that time so we’ll actually be alone for a while.”
“I don’t hate that idea,” he says after a moment. “Could be my only chance to cross the border. I wonder if the Canadian government handled this any better than our own.”
“I have no idea. I’m from the South. Last year, my brother and I made our way up here during the winter and that’s when we realized it’s safer when everything is frozen.” I take another bite of my beans. “Although, it’s a lot harder to find resources when everything is frozen.”
Wade nods his head. “That makes sense. We’ll have to stock up while we can.”
“And maybe do some hunting. I’ve never seen a moose before but surely we could take one down.”
Wade’s lips tip up as he looks over at me. “I could take a moose.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
I’m not sure what’s going on. It was only this morning that Wade told me he didn’t trust me. Now we’re planning on running away to Canada together? Just like that?
I know better than to question it. I don’t want to be alone and it’s clear that he doesn’t either. It’s that desperation for companionship that makes it easy to work with him.
“Where were you from? Before all this?”
“California.” Wade takes another bite, slow to answer like he’s debating how much he wants to say. “Remember at the beginning, when they were broadcasting safe zones?” I nod my head. “My family decided to travel to one. My whole family are werewolves, it’s genetic. When we arrived at the safe zone in Vegas, it was crowded and awful. All five of us were crammed into a hotel room together, unable to leave. Someone deliveredshitty gruel for every meal. It was a nightmare and we weren’t allowed to leave.”
“That sounds fucking horrid.”
“It gets even worse.”
“I would expect nothing less. Having that many tucked together like that sounds like a recipe for disaster.”
Wade nods his head. “I’m sure you can see where this is going. Someone got in with a hidden bite. All hell broke loose. They couldn’t contain the outbreak and we had to run. That was the first time I saw what happened when a werewolf gets bitten.”
I wince. When a werewolf is bitten, they’re not just changed into an undead zombie like a human is. Yes, they’re turned but it’s less groaning and shuffling and more unhinged animalistic monster. Zombie werewolves are terrifying creatures who only live to eat. They’re fast and strong and don’t give up until they’re put down. “Fuck, Wade.”
“Yeah. It was my dad. The rest of us ran but the military gunned us down, not wanting anyone to spread it further. I was the only one who got away.”
“I’m so sorry, Wade. Jesus.”
“When I let myself get bitten, I knew it wouldn’t kill me. I knew I’d turn into a beast. Honestly? I was hoping it would change me into one of those monsters because then I would have wrecked that camp and everyone inside of it.”
A shiver goes through me at Wade’s words. I understand why he felt that way but I’m incredibly grateful that whatever is going on with Wade’s DNA had other plans. I’m glad that we’ve found each other. I’m glad I’m no longer alone.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
Wade finally meets my eyes, his face drawn and unsure. “Thanks. Sorry to trauma dump on you all at once.”
“It’s okay, I started it by asking.”
“What’s your story?”
I open my mouth but my voice is suddenly gone. I close my mouth again, looking away. My hand goes to the tags I wear around my neck.
“Fuck, sorry. You don’t have to tell me.”
“Once we find a safe spot and a bottle of whiskey, I’ll tell you the story.”
